Miami Dolphins vs. Seattle Seahawks: Make or Break Point of the 2012-13 Season
Photo by nationalfootballpost.com/Created by yours truly
Prior to the 2012 NFL season, many would predict the Miami Dolphins would win this match-up in dominant fashion. Now, many are curious to which team will show up.
Sunday’s game is a must-win for Joe Philbin’s team sitting with a 4-6 record.
Once again, the Dolphins face another tough opponent, Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks are going into Sunday’s game with a 6-4 record thus far in this season. Aside from their tremendous play against elite oppositions, specifically, rookie quarterback Russell Wilson is becoming an uprising star in this league.
This game will have a lot of interesting and intriguing battles including the quarterback clash between the two rookies, Miami’s running defense against Marshawn Lynch, and Miami’s running game versus Seattle’s running defense.
Ryan Tannehill vs. Russell Wilson:
In the past two games, Ryan Tannehill has been horrific with a total of five interceptions. For the Miami Dolphins to come away with a victory this weekend, they must see the first-year quarterback come alive.
By come alive, I mean present his football IQ, poise in the pocket, and the precision in throwing the pigskin to receivers like Davone Bess, Brian Hartline, and Anthony Fasano. In recent games, he has showed hesitance and nerves against the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans–arguably two of the worse defenses in the NFL.
The rookie quarterback out of Texas A&M needs to get back on the right tracks if the Miami Dolphins want a shot at a wild card spot.
On the other, Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks have been incredible to say the least. Coming into the 2012-13 season, Pete Carroll was very indecisive with who will lead his team under center, but eventually through experiments with other quarterbacks he chose Russell Wilson. And oh what a mighty fine choice that was.
Wilson presents a problem with the opposition’s defense in various aspects like his mobility around and in the pocket and the threat of the long ball.
The first-year quarterback out of Wisconsin has posted an extraordinary season with 1,827 yards, 15 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
Miami’s Run Defense vs. Marshawn Lynch:
In week 10 against the Tennessee Titans, Miami gave up the century mark to Chris Johnson (first time since Week 2 of the 2011-12 season). In their previous game, they stopped C.J. Spiller for only 91 yards. Miami’s run defense is ranked ninth in the NFL for opposition rushing yards. This week Cameron Wake, Jared Odrick, Karlos Dansby, Kevin Burnett, and Paul Soliai must play a role in stopping the run because Marshawn Lynch is coming to town.
Lynch coming off 124-yard performance against the New York Jets will be out for more blood clashing with another AFC East team. Over the course of this season, the former California Bear has recorded 212 carries for 1,005 yards and five touchdowns. In the past four games, he has stapled 100 plus-yard performances. Lynch has the ability to knock over anyone in his path and lightening speed when he finds daylight.
Reggie Bush vs. Seattle’s Run Defense:
After an incredible start to the 2012-13 season, Reggie Bush is having a troublesome second half of the regular season thus far. Ever since his injury against the New York Jets, Bush’s production has been an eye-shutting essence.
His problem, nobody knows. A lot of talk has been around his body guards, but it’s hard to buy it. Inconsistency has been a factor throughout his seven-year career, and it’s relevant with this club. His production must leave a stamp on Sunday’s game or else he will be watching the game from the sidelines.
Seattle’s defense is 11th overall in the NFL in regards to rushing yards allowed. Pete Carroll’s team has gave 100.8 yards per game. Defensive linemen like Bruce Irwin, Chris Clemons, and Alan Branch will oppose a huge threat to Miami’s offensive line.
This game can make the Miami Dolphins season become alive or it can break the rest of the 2012-13 season. Only time will tell. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. on Sunday.